Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The Synergy Baku Cycling Project is the newest member of the Movement for Credible Cycling. The MPCC’s stated goal is “to defend the idea of a clean cycling based on notions of transparency, responsibility and mobilization of its members.”

The MPCC announced that it has accepted the Synergy Baku membership application on February 13. In its announcement, it specifically mentioned the presence on the team of former first division team riders Alexandr Pliuschin, Dennis van Winden, Ioannis Tamouridis, Matej Mugerli and Markus Eibegger.

“It is important that teams - Synergy Baku Cycling Project included - develop young cyclists with a strong ethical approach, a correct code of conduct and learn to compete with their ability and hard work,” said David McQuaid, team manager. “Synergy Baku supports the position of MPCC on medical and anti-doping matters and as such on the eve of our first 2015 races we are very pleased to have been accepted as members of the MPCC.”

The team Synergy Baku joining MPCC shows a real commitment to present a credible cycling, said Roger Legeay, MPCC president.

“It is very comforting to see your team engage strongly and support the action of MPCC and its philosophy. It is indeed important that all categories of teams commit to a cycling without doping,” he said.

“Nowadays it is absolutely necessary to follow a zero tolerance policy. It is the only chance for our sport to survive,” said Markus Eibegger. “I hope that the MPCC teams will get advantages in race invitations, for example. But all MPCC members should respect their own rules, without any exceptions. Otherwise the word ‘credible’ doesn’t mean anything.”

“It is great for the team and for me that we are part of the MPCC,” said Maksym Averin, “and that we are going to follow their rules like so many of the other much larger teams.”

The MPCC lays out strict anti-doping and medical requirements for its members. Its members include 11 of 17 World Tour teams, 19 of 20 Professional Continental teams, 35 of 162 Continental teams, and 8 of 38 women’s teams.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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